Interview and Interrogation in the Investigation of a Crime

Under wartime conditions, terror suspects or known terrorists may be interrogated by the military. An interrogator will put the person held in question through both psychological and physical punishment. The reasoning for the disturbing treatment is to pressure the detainee into confessing or reporting information that the officials need for their investigation.

Sleep Deprivation

Sleep deprivation is a technique where a detainee is forced to go without sleep for an extended amount of time, usually over 48 hours. The detainee is shackled in a standing position and it is not unusual for them to be nude or wearing an adult diaper if clothed. Their available space is limited and they are not allowed to lay down during this time period. The sleep deprivation technique wears the detainee down, which lowers their resistance during interrogation.

Waterboarding

During waterboarding, the detainee is bound, gagged and strapped down to a board with his feet raised and head lowered. Cold water is continuously poured over the face of the detainee using a hose without a nozzle or a container. While this technique mimics the sensation of drowning, it does not cause permanent physical damage. The method is intimidate the detainee to release information or a confession. Flicking water onto the detainee is another water method that belittles and frightens.

Forced Nudity

Forced nudity is a method where the detainees are stripped down in front of each other and restrained for an extended amount of time. The detainee will be left need during and in between various interrogations. The nudity is used to cause psychological discomfort for the detainee and depending on their cultural background, it can also induce great shame. Clothing is used in many instances as a reward to the detainee for giving up information during the interrogation.

Stress Positions

There are three main stress positions used during interrogations to produce muscle fatigue and other physical discomfort. The first position is to have the detainee sitting with their legs extended forward and their arms straight above their head. The second is kneeling on the floor while leaning back in a 45 degree angle. The third position is for the restrained detainee to lean against a wall, feet approximately 3 feet away, with only their head touching the wall.

Sources

"Interview and Interrogation in the Investigation of a Crime," ncthakur.itgo.com

Kate Phillips,"The Methods List for Interrogation," The New York Times

"Top 11 Methods of Interrogation," Listverse